Free tickets for those with right connections

Bedbug featuring members of Stephen Joseph Youth Theatre

Published:10:26Friday 26 February 2016

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A festival described by the National Theatre as the biggest youth theatre festival on the planet comes to the Stephen Joseph Theatre next month – and tickets for drama students across the Borough of Scarborough are free.

Connections is the National Theatre’s annual festival of new plays for youth theatres and schools.

The Stephen Joseph will welcome seven regional theatre groups between Thursday March 10 and Saturday March 12.

Blackout by Davey Anderson, performed by Northern Lights Theatre from Hull and East Yorkshire.

It Snows by Bryony Lavery, Steven Hoggett and Scott Graham, performed by Stockton Riverside College from Stockton-on-Tees.

Friday 11 March

What Are They Like? by Lucinda Coxon, performed by the 1812 Youth Theatre from Helmsley.

Bassett by James Graham, performed by High Tunstall College from Hartlepool.

Saturday 12 March

Eclipse by Simon Armitage, performed by Arts Spark from Darlington.

The Musicians, by Patrick Marber, performed by Page2Stage from Stockton-on-Tees.

Performances start each evening at 7pm.

Community OutReach officer Cheryl Govan says: “Connections began 20 years ago after teachers and directors told the National Theatre that they wanted exciting and challenging new plays for young actors. Since then, the National Theatre has commissioned and published more than 150 plays through Connections, giving young people aged 13 to 19 across the UK and Ireland access to the very best new writing for theatre, and valuable experience of professional theatre-making. For nearly 20 years now, the Stephen Joseph has been delighted to welcome youth groups from around the region – we look forward to seeing their skill, creativity, commitment and passion. This year, the festival will take place in The Round.”

To claim their free tickets, anyone studying drama or theatre at GCSE, BTEC, A level or degree level should book via the box office, in person or on 01723 370541, and show their free ticket pass. The passes are being delivered to schools and colleges in the area.